List of Keywords to Use in Job Interviews

by Wanda Thibodeaux; Updated September 26, 2017

In any language, every word has associated connotations. In the business world, this means that you have to choose your words precisely and carefully to make the best impression during an interview. Preparing a list of keywords that would spark the employers' interest prior to your interview, helps you get ready for the interview process. Using these words appropriately will increase your chances of getting the job.

Communication

Employers understand that communication plays a role in virtually every business function. For example, it comes into play in conflict resolution, writing reports, interacting with clients or vendors and even negotiating new contract terms. Often, good communication translates into a more positive, cohesive work atmosphere, as well as efficiency that leads to profit. Replace common words and phrases like "told," "talked to," "said" with communication variations and you may make more of an impact.

Multitask

Although the ability to concentrate on one complex task certainly has its place on a job, employers often see an employee as more valuable if the employee can multitask. This is because employees who can multitask often end up being more productive in terms of the amount of work completed. They also sometimes are able to do more under higher demands or with fewer resources.

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Innovation

Stagnancy is one of the biggest reasons companies fail — businesses must adapt to the market if they want to keep their customers over time. For this reason, you want to show your employer that you can think outside the box and be useful far into the future. "Innovation" and related words like "creativity," "development," "concept application" and "ideas" all help your employer picture you as someone who can contribute something special.

Problem Solving

Even if an employer does everything he can to give an employee good training and resources, problems are a normal part of the workplace. For instance, customers may complain about a product flaw, or financing for a project may fall through. Employers don't want to have to solve every problem for their employees. They want to see you can handle the difficulties that may come up. This is particularly important for managerial positions.

Considerations

Words and phrases like communication, multitask, innovation and problem solving generally are good for any job. However, every job has its own set of keywords that will resonate with your interviewer. For example, if you're interviewing for an IT job, you might use an expression like "technical documentation." If you're interviewing for a teaching job, keywords like "student achievement" are more applicable. For this reason, you generally must determine the best keywords for an interview based on the position for which you are applying. You can find out what keywords might work by reviewing job postings for similar positions. Words that appear frequently typically are those to which employers would respond.

References

About the Author

Wanda Thibodeaux is a freelance writer and editor based in Eagan, Minn. She has been published in both print and Web publications and has written on everything from fly fishing to parenting. She currently works through her business website, Takingdictation.com, which functions globally and welcomes new clients.

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Thibodeaux, Wanda. "List of Keywords to Use in Job Interviews." Bizfluent, https://bizfluent.com/info-8211831-list-keywords-use-job-interviews.html. 26 September 2017.

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